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Let’s Talk About Diagnostics!
Diagnostics are an important part of determining how to repair your vehicle. With diagnostic scanners becoming easier to come by, it’s tempting to rely on one, or on the advice of a parts place, about what your car needs.
But a diagnostics tool is only one element of the detective work that goes into a vehicle repair. The tool itself is not a precise means of knowing if a part needs to be replaced. It’s also important to know the context of what codes your vehicle is putting out and how they affect each other.
How Did We Ever Do It Before Diagnostic Tools?
Some of the “old school” diagnostics mechanics have always used simple tools like pliers, wrenches, and a screwdriver. Working with these tools is like playing battleship with the problem. You have to substitute in good working parts until you find what isn't working.
How Do We Do It Now?
Among the “new school” of diagnostics we utilize at Pals Ocala are a tire pressure sensor checker, and the various scanners that plug into the car directly. They give us the service codes, from simple to complex.
A car's computer system is like a black box. You can't see what's going on inside, but you can get readings from various sensors to help you diagnose a problem. However, it's not enough to just know what the readings are. You also need to know how to interpret them and what they mean for the health of your car.
For example, if you see a code indicating that the engine is overheating, that doesn't necessarily mean that the engine is actually hot. It could mean that there's a problem with the cooling system, or with the sensor itself. If you don't know how to read and interpret the codes, you might not be able to properly diagnose the problem.
There’s a Good Reason To Bring a Diagnosis to Pals
A Complete diagnostic requires us to hook the scanner into a port to bring up each diagnostic code. It's important to know what multiple codes mean together. Understanding what these codes are helps identify individual problems. A good mechanic knows what these codes mean when they are occurring at the same time, and what it says about the state of your vehicle.
It's so important to have comprehensive knowledge and skill as a mechanic. You need to be able to use all of the information available to you in order to fix your car correctly. This includes using special scanners that can access the computer system and give you detailed readings, as well as using your knowledge of car mechanics to interpret those readings. Visit Pals Ocala Auto Repair at 2821 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, and schedule an appointment online to keep your vehicle safe on the road!
September Events
September 1st
We celebrate Pink Cadillac Day on September 1 to honor the iconic pink car that became a cultural landmark of the 1950s. Many thanks to its early supporters such as Elvis Presley and later Bruce Springsteen, the car went from a shoddy black and white convertible to the global symbol of luxury and pizzazz. It was on this day in 1957 that Presley performed in front of 6000 people at the Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington. He immortalized himself as the King of Rock and Roll. On September 1, we paint the town pink and celebrate our weirdest impulses.
September 2nd
Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Ln, Ocala, Florida 34473
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Free Event! If you can roll in we want to see your RIDE! No fee to enter your ride. Free for all those who want to come and check out all the cool rides! This event is located at the Marion Oaks Community Complex. First Friday of Every Month! Music & Wheels!
Ocala Historic Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala, Florida 34471
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month, September through May from 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk is a free event located within Ocala’s historic downtown. Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of art, live performances, and downtown shops and restaurants. Pick up your map on the square and take a self-guided tour of local artists displaying their works for sale in front of our downtown business. Stop to take in the performing artists stationed along the way. In the event of inclement weather, the First Friday Art Walk will move to the Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St.
September 2nd - 3rd
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
RODEO starts at 7:30 P.M.; Gates open at 5:30
Tickets are $25 at the gate and Children five (5) years of age and under are free. On Friday Night children 6 through 11 years of age get in for $10.00 accompanied by a paying adult. This event features all traditional rodeo events: Bareback Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Saddle Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, & Tie Down Roping.
September 3rd
Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, Florida 34470
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. Practice the art of staycation and visit our permanent collection and special exhibitions. Or, make art in the Artspace and enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces with large-scale sculpture (perfect for selfies!) Big Lee’s BBQ food truck will be onsite for lunch 11 am - 2 pm
Kent Furniture Center, 10651 SE US 441, Belleview, Florida 34420
5:00 PM
Every first Saturday of the month from 5pm to 8pm The Twilight Cruisers host a cruise-in at Kent Furniture Center - 10651 SE US 441in Belleview, located behind Regions Bank and Ace Hardware. For more information contact Joe @ 352-653-7476, Frank @ 407-504-6413 , Ken @ 352-351-8038, or Steve @ 352 347-4496. Food donations are accepted and benefit Interfaith charities. https://twilightcruisersflorida.com/
Florida Horse Park
6:00 PM
The Ocala Polo Club, a Team Resolute Club, plays at the Florida Horse Park and Tamarian Farms in Ocala, FL. Matches are family friendly, well behaved dogs are welcome on leash. Don't worry if you don't know anything about horses or polo, come ready for a fun time tailgating with friends and we'll teach you the rest! For more information check out www.ocalapolo.com
September 3rd - 4th
Western Dressage Show
Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala, Florida 34480
The 2022 Western Dressage Show Season begins on June 18th. Currently we have three show opportunities on the schedule; June 18-19th, July 30-31st, and September 3-4th. All events will be held under the covered arena. The public is invited to watch!
September 3rd to October 8th
8th Avenue Gallery, 1531 NE 8th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34470
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
I'm thrilled to announce my solo show entitled SCRIB-SCRABS! The show will be exhibited and hosted by the beautiful 8th Ave Gallery starting September 3rd! I will be exhibiting all new, never before seen artwork from my iconic style Scribble Faces. Join us for a fun night! All work is available for purchase through the gallery.
Expect Paintings, Drawings, Sculptures, Art Installations, Wine, Beer, Food, and live music provided by lo-fi hip-hop music producer YG Hypnos! (y'all are in for a treat)
September 5th
Join us for a celebration of the American worker!
September 8th - 11th
9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Florida Morgan Horse Association Arena 3, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala, Florida
Free Equestrian Event Beautiful Morgans, Saddlebreds, and All Breed horses competing in all disciplines. Great event for equestrians and visitors. Free and open to the public to spectate.
September 9th
Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE 3rd St., Ocala, Florida 34470
7:30 PM to 8:45 PM
Experience bats flying out from the bat house as the Park Rangers share interesting facts about the world of bats.
Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala, Florida 34470
8:00 PM
It's movie time! Join us for FREE movies throughout the year at different City of Ocala parks. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. We will have concessions available for purchase like snacks, popcorn and soda. No registration is required to attend our movies, simply show up, get comfortable and enjoy the show! Join us for "The Karate Kid (1984)" starts at 8 PM at Tuscawilla Park. A bullied teen learns self-defense and self-confidence from a sage handyman. Rated PG. For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517 or visit www.ocalafl.org/recpark.
September 10th
Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala, Florida 34480
6:00 PM
The Ocala Polo Club, a Team Resolute Club, plays at the Florida Horse Park and Tamarian Farms in Ocala, FL. Matches are family friendly, well behaved dogs are welcome on leash. Don't worry if you don't know anything about horses or polo, come ready for a fun time tailgating with friends and we'll teach you the rest! For more information check out www.ocalapolo.com.
September 10th
Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida 34470
12:00 Noon into the evening
We are inviting you to an educational and fun filled day in remembrance of September 11. The event will be held at the Marion County Veterans Memorial Park and is open to the public on Saturday, September 10. The reenactment will bring history alive! Hear the great orators of the past deliver their most famous speeches, hosted by Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States during her program, “Over our Coffee Cups”. Portrayed by Dee Collier. President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg’s Address” - Portrayed by Todd Belknap. Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” - Portrayed by Pastor Louis Cherubin. President Ronald Reagan “Freedom is Not Free” - Portrayed by Timothy Lafferty. Color Guard presented by North Marion High School JROTC. Scavenger Hunt 2:00 – 4:00pm. Police Specialty Units from 2:00 – 5:00pm. Meet your local Law Enforcement Heroes - Ocala Police, Marion County Fire & Sheriff’s Department. A profoundly emotional story of sacrifice & honor. Bring your lawn chairs; invite your family & friends. www.marionvetpark.com/movie-night-in-the-park
The last of a dying breed– if you’ve got a Studebaker in working condition, today is your day!
September 11th
https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-service-remembrance/
On September 11, Patriot Day gives all of us time to reflect on the devastating terror attacks that took nearly 3,000 lives. We commemorate those who we lost and give thanks to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line. Take a moment today to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a better place for all.
September 17th
Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala, Florida 34480
6:00 PM
The Ocala Polo Club, a Team Resolute Club, plays at the Florida Horse Park and Tamarian Farms in Ocala, FL. Matches are family friendly, well behaved dogs are welcome on leash. Don't worry if you don't know anything about horses or polo, come ready for a fun time tailgating with friends and we'll teach you the rest! For more information check out www.ocalapolo.com.
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala, Florida 34470
7:30 PM
In her 50-plus years in music, Judy Collins has always exhibited impeccable taste in songcraft. On her landmark 1967album, Wildflowers, she curated a stunning collection featuring originals alongside songs by not-yet household names such as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, and adventurous selections by Jacques Brel and Francesco Landini. Her discerning palette, and her literary gifts, have enabled her to evolve into a poetic, storyteller songwriter. Now, in her 6th decade as a singer and songwriter, Judy is experiencing a profound level of growth and prolific creativity.
Saturday 17th - 18th
World Equestrian Center, Expo 1, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34482
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Ocala Comic Con returns for its 9th year on September 17th-18th, 2022 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL! Be sure to invite your friends to this event page.
September 23rd
Lake Lillian Park, SE Robinson Road, Belleview, Florida 34420
5pm - 9 pm
Held the fourth Friday of every month at Lake Lillian, this monthly event features lots of family fun! Centered around various food trucks, families can come and enjoy music, free activities for children and shop with local business and craft vendors while enjoying yummy food.
Show a redhead in your life some love today!
September 24th
Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala, Florida 34470
9:00 AM to 10:15 AM
Join us for our Programs in the Parks series. From Animal Tracks to Bats Night Flight, there is something for everyone to enjoy. These programs are free to the public, no registration required, and open to all ages. Come dig with us into the past with our kid friendly sandbox. Dig and learn about the laws that protect important artifacts.
Gazebo on the Square
11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Join us downtown for the 2nd Annual NPD Classic Car Show & Craft Beer Fest on Saturday. September 24th from 11:30am-4:30pm.
September 24th & October 1st
World Equestrian Center, Exposition Center 1
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join us for for two weekends of German-themed fun! Break out the lederhosen and enjoy traditional food, fill a commemorative stein with draft pours and samples of German beer, play games and dance to live music with the Swinging Bavarians in celebration of Oktoberfest. We’ll be serving up a full menu of your favorite German fare including pretzels with beer cheese, bratwurst, schnitzel, spaetzle and Dampfnudel, among others. All food is included in the ticket price! If you have questions regarding this event, please reach out to: www.wec.net
September 27th
The College of Central Florida’s Ira Holmes International Film Series is excited to be offering its first full, in-person season since 2019. Themes of humor and perseverance will take center stage in this year’s 11 films selected from around the globe. All films will be shown Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110, unless otherwise noted. Films at the Ocala Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content. “The Farewell” (PG, China/USA, 2019, 100 min.) After her beloved grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, a Chinese-American woman returns to China for a family gathering secretly designed to say goodbye to the matriarch, who is unaware of her own diagnosis. The heroine finds joy in rediscovering the country she left as a child, her grandmother’s wondrous spirit, and the ties that keep binding even when so much goes unspoken.
September 29 - October 8th
World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34482
Mark your calendars for the 2022 Championship Show that will be held from September 29 – October 16 and October 21 - 22 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The Championship Show will feature a mix of exciting competitions including western pleasure, barrel racing, hunter, reining, ranch riding, youth classes and more. This show is NSBA approved. Showbill and more information coming soon.